U.S. patent application number 10/570698 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-08 for gift acquisition game device.
Invention is credited to Mitsuharu Fukazawa, Nobuto Kashiwagi, Junichi Murakami, Hideki Watanabe, Takashi Yamamoto.
Application Number | 20070029734 10/570698 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34308485 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070029734 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fukazawa; Mitsuharu ; et
al. |
February 8, 2007 |
Gift acquisition game device
Abstract
A prize-capturing game apparatus 10 comprises a prize storage
portion 14 in which a prize 18 is stored. A drop inlet 26 for
dropping the prize 18 gripped by a movable body 24 is disposed on
the prize storage portion 14. The drop inlet 26 is opened or closed
by a shutter 74 of a mechanism 37 for opening and closing the drop
inlet. A prize deposit room 30 is disposed below the drop inlet 26
and an outlet 32 for taking out the prize 18 is disposed on a front
face of the prize deposit room 30. The outlet 32 is opened and
closed by the prize outlet door 34. During a game, the shutter 74
opens the drop inlet 26 to receive the drop of the prize 18 and the
prize outlet door 34 is locked in a closed position using a locking
mechanism 62. After the game, the shutter 74 closes the drop inlet
26 and a lock of the prize outlet door 34 using the door locking
mechanism 62 is released.
Inventors: |
Fukazawa; Mitsuharu; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Yamamoto; Takashi; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Watanabe; Hideki; (Tokyo, JP) ; Kashiwagi;
Nobuto; (Tokyo, JP) ; Murakami; Junichi;
(Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY LLP
224 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
SUITE 1600
CHICAGO
IL
60604
US
|
Family ID: |
34308485 |
Appl. No.: |
10/570698 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
August 31, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP04/12565 |
371 Date: |
March 3, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/447 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 9/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/447 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/00 20060101
A63F009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 9, 2003 |
JP |
2003-317457 |
Claims
1. A prize-capturing game apparatus comprising: a drop inlet for
allowing a player to drop a prize stored in the inside of a casing
through an operation of the player; an outlet disposed on an outer
wall of said casing, said outlet allowing the player to take out
the prize dropped into said drop inlet; a drop inlet
opening/closing portion disposed above said drop inlet or on a path
from said drop inlet to said outlet, said drop inlet
opening/closing portion opening and closing said drop inlet or the
path; an opening/closing driving mechanism for opening and closing
said drop inlet by driving said drop inlet opening/closing portion;
an outlet opening/closing portion configured to be openable and
closable when the player takes out the prize dropped into said drop
inlet from said outlet; an outlet opening/closing detecting unit
configured to detect opened and closed states of said outlet
opening/closing portion; and a controlling unit configured to
control opening and closing of said drop inlet and/or said outlet,
wherein said controlling unit controls driving of said drop inlet
opening/closing portion so as to open said drop inlet using said
opening/closing driving mechanism when said outlet opening/closing
portion has closed said outlet based on a detection signal from
said outlet opening/closing detecting unit.
2. The prize-capturing game apparatus according to claim 1,
including: an outlet locking unit configured to maintain a state
where said outlet is closed by locking said outlet opening/closing
portion, wherein said controlling unit maintains a state where said
outlet opening/closing portion has closed said outlet by locking
said outlet locking unit and controls driving of said drop inlet
opening/closing portion so as to open said drop inlet using said
opening/closing driving mechanism when said outlet opening/closing
portion has closed said outlet based on a detection signal from
said outlet opening/closing detecting unit.
3. The prize-capturing game apparatus according to claim 2,
including: a lock release operation portion for releasing a lock of
said outlet locking unit through an operation of the player when
the state where said outlet opening/closing portion has closed said
outlet is maintained using said outlet locking unit, wherein said
controlling unit causes said opening/closing driving mechanism to
drive to have said drop inlet opening/closing portion close said
drop inlet, and then releases the lock of said outlet locking unit
in response to an operation signal from said lock release operation
portion.
4. The prize-capturing game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said controlling unit includes a notifying unit configured to
notify the player to close said outlet, when said outlet is opened,
based on a detection signal from said outlet opening/closing
detecting unit.
5. A prize-capturing game apparatus comprising: a drop inlet for
allowing a player to drop a prize stored in the inside of a casing
through an operation of the player; an outlet disposed on an outer
wall of said casing, said outlet allowing the player to take out
the prize dropped into said drop inlet; a drop inlet
opening/closing portion disposed above said drop inlet or on a path
from said drop inlet to said outlet, said drop inlet
opening/closing portion opening and closing said drop inlet or the
path; an opening/closing driving mechanism for opening and closing
said drop inlet by driving said drop inlet opening/closing portion;
a drop inlet opening/closing detecting unit configured to detect
opened and closed states of said drop inlet; an outlet
opening/closing portion configured to be openable and closable when
the player takes out the prize dropped into said drop inlet from
the outlet; an outlet locking unit configured to maintain a state
where said outlet is closed by locking said outlet opening/closing
portion; and a controlling unit configured to control opening and
closing of said drop inlet and/or said outlet, wherein said
controlling unit drives said drop inlet opening/closing portion
using said opening/closing driving mechanism and controls said
outlet opening/closing portion to be openable and closable by
releasing a lock of said outlet locking unit when said drop inlet
opening/closing portion has closed said drop inlet based on a
detection signal from said drop inlet opening/closing detecting
unit.
6. The prize-capturing game apparatus according to claim 5,
including: a drop inlet locking unit configured to maintain a state
where said drop inlet opening/closing portion has closed said drop
inlet, wherein said controlling unit drives said drop inlet
opening/closing portion using said opening/closing driving
mechanism and, when said drop inlet opening/closing portion has
closed said drop inlet based on a detection signal from said drop
inlet opening/closing detecting unit, maintains the state where
said drop inlet opening/closing portion has closed said drop inlet
using said drop inlet locking unit and controls opening/closing of
said outlet opening/closing portion so as to open said outlet by
releasing a lock of said outlet locking unit.
7. A prize-capturing game apparatus comprising: a drop inlet for
allowing a player to drop a prize stored in the inside of a casing
through an operation of the player; an outlet disposed on an outer
wall of said casing, said outlet allowing the player to take out
the prize dropped into said drop inlet; a drop inlet
opening/closing portion disposed above said drop inlet or on a path
from said drop inlet to said outlet, said drop inlet
opening/closing portion opening and closing said drop inlet or the
path; an opening/closing mechanism biased by a biasing unit such
that said drop inlet opening/closing portion is rotated and
returned to an original position after said drop inlet
opening/closing portion is rotated by colliding with the prize
dropped into said drop inlet; a drop inlet opening/closing
detecting unit configured to detect opened and closed states of
said drop inlet; an outlet opening/closing portion configured to be
openable and closable when the player takes out the prize dropped
into said drop inlet from said outlet; an outlet locking unit
configured to maintain a state where said outlet is closed by
locking said outlet opening/closing portion; and a controlling unit
configured to control opening and closing of said outlet, wherein
said controlling unit controls said outlet opening/closing portion
to be openable and closable by releasing a lock of said outlet
locking unit when said drop inlet opening/closing portion has
closed said drop inlet based on a detection signal from said drop
inlet opening/closing detecting unit.
8. The prize-capturing game apparatus according to claim 7,
including: a lock release operation portion for releasing a lock of
said outlet locking unit through an operation of the player when
the state where said outlet opening/closing portion has closed said
outlet is maintained using said outlet locking unit, wherein said
controlling unit causes said opening/closing driving mechanism to
drive to have said drop inlet opening/closing portion close said
drop inlet, and then releases the lock of said outlet locking unit
in response to an operation signal from said lock release operation
portion.
9. A prize-capturing game apparatus comprising: a drop inlet for
allowing a player to drop a prize stored in the inside of a casing
through an operation of the player; an outlet disposed on an outer
wall of said casing, said outlet allowing the player to take out
the prize dropped into said drop inlet; a drop inlet
opening/closing portion disposed above said drop inlet or on a path
from said drop inlet to said outlet, said drop inlet
opening/closing portion opening and closing said drop inlet or the
path; an opening/closing driving mechanism for opening and closing
said drop inlet by driving said drop inlet opening/closing portion;
a prize depositing portion for temporarily depositing the prize
dropped into said drop inlet, said prize depositing portion
including said outlet for allowing the player to take out the
deposited prize; an object detecting unit configured to detect
whether or not an object exists in the inside of said prize
depositing portion; an object takeout notifying unit configured to
notify the player to take out an object in the inside of said prize
depositing portion; and a controlling unit configured to control
opening and closing of said drop inlet, wherein said controlling
unit notifies the player to take out an object in the inside of
said prize depositing portion through said object takeout notifying
unit when the object is in the inside of said prize depositing
portion based on a detection signal from said object detecting
unit.
10. A prize-capturing game apparatus comprising: a drop inlet for
allowing a player to drop a prize stored in the inside of a casing
through an operation of the player; an outlet disposed on an outer
wall of said casing, said outlet allowing the player to take out
the prize dropped into said drop inlet; a drop inlet
opening/closing portion disposed above said drop inlet or on a path
from said drop inlet to said outlet, said drop inlet
opening/closing portion opening and closing said drop inlet or the
path; an opening/closing driving mechanism for opening and closing
said drop inlet by driving said drop inlet opening/closing portion;
a prize depositing portion, for temporarily depositing the prize
dropped into said drop inlet, said prize depositing portion
including said outlet for allowing the player to take out the
deposited prize; a pressure detecting unit configured to detect
pressure applied to the inside of said prize depositing portion;
and a controlling unit configured to control opening and closing of
said drop inlet, wherein said controlling unit controls driving of
said drop inlet opening/closing portion so as to open said drop
inlet using said opening/closing driving mechanism when no pressure
is applied to the inside of said prize depositing portion based on
a detection signal from said pressure detecting unit.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a prize-capturing
game apparatus, and particularly to a prize-capturing game
apparatus in which a prize stored in the inside of a casing is
obtained by dropping it to an outlet through an in accordance with
an operation by a player.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventional prize-capturing game apparatuses include game
apparatuses referred to as UFO catchers, for example. The
prize-capturing game apparatus of this type, after a coin is
inserted, moves a prize gripping mechanism disposed on a ceiling in
the right and left directions and in the backward and forward
directions in accordance with a button operation by a player. Then,
the prize-capturing game apparatus lowers a clamp portion (formed
into a UFO-like shape) having a pair of arms toward a given prize
among a plurality of prizes placed in the inside of the casing
surrounded with transparent glass, and grips the target prize.
[0003] By performing a clamp operation for opening and closing the
pair of arms disposed on the clamp portion, the pair of arms grips
the prize (a succeeded case) or the pair of arms fails to grip the
prize (a failed case). Along with the closing movement of the pair
of arms, the clamp portions is elevated and moved above a prize
drop inlet. Then, the clamp portion drops the gripped prize into
the prize drop inlet. Accordingly, the player is capable of taking
out the prize from a prize outlet communicated with the prize drop
inlet. The opening and closing movement of the pair of arms and the
movement of the clamp portion are performed in the same manner in
the case where the pair of arms disposed on the clamp portion grips
the prize (the succeeded case) and in the case where the prize is
dropped while it is transferred (the failed case).
[0004] In this manner, in the prize-capturing game apparatus, the
series of movements by the prize gripping mechanism is performed as
a single play. Conventionally, the upper limit on the size of
prizes such as stuffed animals (stuffed bears, for example) is
about 20 cm to 25 cm. However, in recent years, with the
development of large-sized prizes, there is a request that
large-sized prizes such as large stuffed animals having a size of
about 35 cm to 40 cm, for example, be handled.
[0005] In order to promote the development of such large-sized
prizes, it is necessary to enlarge the pair of arms for gripping
prizes. Also, it is necessary to enlarge the opening area of the
prize outlet in accordance with the prize size. In this case,
countermeasures for preventing theft from the prize outlet pose a
problem with respect to the large-sized prizes.
[0006] As mentioned above, when the opening area of the prize
outlet is enlarged, for example, a small child may enter the prize
outlet and illicitly obtain a prize placed in the inside of the
casing from the prize outlet. And measures in terms of security are
required.
[0007] In order to deal with such a security problem, a certain
prize-capturing game apparatus has been proposed. The apparatus
includes a first door rotatably disposed between the prize outlet
and the prize drop inlet and configured to close the prize drop
inlet from a lower side thereof, and a second door rotatably
disposed on an outer wall of the casing and configured to open and
close the prize outlet (refer to Patent Document 1: Japanese
Laid-Open Patent Application No. 11-192375, for example).
[0008] In this structure, when the player opens the second door and
inserts the hand from the prize outlet, the first door is opened in
a vertical manner to block communication between the prize outlet
and the prize drop inlet. When the first door is pressed and
rotated in a lateral manner from the prize outlet, the prize drop
inlet is closed from the lower side with the first door. Thus, the
prize-capturing game apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is
capable of blocking intrusion from the outside with the first door
when the player tries to take out the prize from the prize outlet,
thereby preventing the theft of the prize.
[0009] However, conventional prize-capturing game apparatuses are
problematic in that when an adult with long arms inserts the hand
from the prize outlet, for example, it is possible to insert the
hand from a clearance between a lower edge of the first door in a
vertical state and the bottom of the prize outlet. Thus, it is
possible to draw the prize positioned in the vicinity of the prize
drop inlet to the prize outlet.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is a general object of the present invention to provide
an improved and useful prize-capturing game apparatus in which the
above-mentioned problem is eliminated.
[0011] A more specific object of the present invention is to
provide a prize-capturing game apparatus capable of preventing the
theft of a prize.
[0012] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the present
invention provides the following measures.
[0013] According to one aspect, the present invention comprises: a
drop inlet for allowing a player to drop a prize stored in the
inside of a casing through an operation of the player; an outlet
disposed on an outer wall of the casing, the outlet allowing the
player to take out the prize dropped into the drop inlet; a drop
inlet opening/closing portion disposed above the drop inlet or on a
path from the drop inlet to the outlet, the drop inlet
opening/closing portion opening and closing the drop inlet or the
path; an opening/closing driving mechanism for opening and closing
the drop inlet by driving the drop inlet opening/closing portion;
an outlet opening/closing portion configured to be openable and
closable when the player takes out the prize dropped into the drop
inlet from the outlet; an outlet opening/closing detecting unit
configured to detect opened and closed states of the outlet
opening/closing portion; and a controlling unit configured to
control opening and closing of the drop inlet and/or the outlet, in
which the controlling unit controls driving of the drop inlet
opening/closing portion such that the drop inlet is opened by the
opening/closing driving mechanism if the outlet opening/closing
portion has closed the outlet on the basis of a detection signal
from the outlet opening/closing detecting unit.
[0014] Further, according to another aspect, the present invention
includes: an outlet locking unit configured to maintain a state
where the outlet is closed by locking the outlet opening/closing
portion, in which the controlling unit maintains a state where the
outlet opening/closing portion has closed the outlet by locking the
outlet locking unit and controls driving of the drop inlet
opening/closing portion such that the drop inlet is opened by the
opening/closing driving mechanism if the outlet opening/closing
portion has closed the outlet on the basis of a detection signal
from the outlet opening/closing detecting unit.
[0015] Further, according to another aspect of the present
invention, the controlling unit includes a notifying unit
configured to notify the player to close the outlet if the outlet
is opened on the basis of a detection signal from the outlet
opening/closing detecting unit.
[0016] Further, according to another aspect, the present invention
comprises: a drop inlet for allowing a player to drop a prize
stored in the inside of a casing through an operation of the
player; an outlet disposed on an outer wall of the casing, the
outlet allowing the player to take out the prize dropped into the
drop inlet; a drop inlet opening/closing portion disposed above the
drop inlet or on a path from the drop inlet to the outlet, the drop
inlet opening/closing portion opening and closing the drop inlet or
the path; an opening/closing driving mechanism for opening and
closing the drop inlet by driving the drop inlet opening/closing
portion; a drop inlet opening/closing detecting unit configured to
detect opened and closed states of the drop inlet; an outlet
opening/closing portion configured to be openable and closable when
the player takes out the prize dropped into the drop inlet from the
outlet; an outlet locking unit configured to maintain a state where
the outlet is closed by locking the outlet opening/closing portion;
and a controlling unit configured to control opening and closing of
the drop inlet and/or the outlet, in which the controlling unit
drives the drop inlet opening/closing portion using the
opening/closing driving mechanism and controls the outlet
opening/closing portion such that it is openable and closable by
releasing a lock of the outlet locking unit if the drop inlet
opening/closing portion has closed the drop inlet on the basis of a
detection signal from the drop inlet opening/closing detecting
unit.
[0017] Further, according to another aspect, the present invention
includes: a drop inlet locking unit configured to maintain a state
where the drop inlet opening/closing portion has closed the drop
inlet, in which the controlling unit drives the drop inlet
opening/closing portion using the opening/closing driving mechanism
and, if the drop inlet opening/closing portion has closed the drop
inlet on the basis of a detection signal from the drop inlet
opening/closing detecting unit, maintains the state where the drop
inlet opening/closing portion has closed the drop inlet using the
drop inlet locking unit and controls opening/closing of the outlet
opening/closing portion such that the outlet is opened by releasing
a lock of the outlet locking unit.
[0018] Further, according to another aspect, the present invention
comprises: a drop inlet for allowing a player to drop a prize
stored in the inside of a casing through an operation of the
player; an outlet disposed on an outer wall of the casing, the
outlet allowing the player to take out the prize dropped into the
drop inlet; a drop inlet opening/closing portion disposed above the
drop inlet or on a path from the drop inlet to the outlet, the drop
inlet opening/closing portion opening and closing the drop inlet or
the path; an opening/closing mechanism biased by a biasing unit
such that the drop inlet opening/closing portion is rotated and
returned to an original position after the drop inlet
opening/closing portion is rotated by colliding with the prize
dropped into the drop inlet; a drop inlet opening/closing detecting
unit configured to detect opened and closed states of the drop
inlet; an outlet opening/closing portion configured to be openable
and closable when the player takes out the prize dropped into the
drop inlet from the outlet; an outlet locking unit configured to
maintain a state where the outlet is closed by locking the outlet
opening/closing portion; and a controlling unit configured to
control opening and closing of the outlet, in which the controlling
unit controls the outlet opening/closing portion such that it is
openable and closable by releasing a lock of the outlet locking
unit if the drop inlet opening/closing portion has closed the drop
inlet on the basis of a detection signal from the drop inlet
opening/closing detecting unit.
[0019] Further, according to another aspect, the present invention
includes: a lock release operation portion for releasing a lock of
the outlet locking unit through an operation of the player when the
state where the outlet opening/closing portion has closed the
outlet is maintained using the outlet locking unit, in which the
controlling unit drives the opening/closing driving mechanism such
that the drop inlet opening/closing portion closes the drop inlet
and then the lock of the outlet locking unit is released in
response to an operation signal from the lock release operation
portion.
[0020] Further, according to another aspect, the present invention
comprises: a drop inlet for allowing a player to drop a prize
stored in the inside of a casing through an operation of the
player; an outlet disposed on an outer wall of the casing, the
outlet allowing the player to take out the prize dropped into the
drop inlet; a drop inlet opening/closing portion disposed above the
drop inlet or on a path from the drop inlet to the outlet, the drop
inlet opening/closing portion opening and closing the drop inlet or
the path; an opening/closing driving mechanism for opening and
closing the drop inlet by driving the drop inlet opening/closing
portion; a prize depositing portion for temporarily depositing the
prize dropped into the drop inlet, the prize depositing portion
including an outlet for allowing the player to take out the
deposited prize; an object detecting unit configured to detect
whether or not an object exists in the inside of the prize
depositing portion; an object takeout notifying unit configured to
notify the player to take out an object in the inside of the prize
depositing portion; and a controlling unit configured to control
opening and closing of the drop inlet, in which the controlling
unit notifies the player to take out a prize in the inside of the
prize depositing portion through the prize takeout notifying unit
if the prize is dropped in the inside of the prize depositing
portion on the basis of a detection signal from the prize detecting
unit.
[0021] Further, according to another aspect, the present invention
comprises: a drop inlet for allowing a player to drop a prize
stored in the inside of a casing through an operation of the
player; an outlet disposed on an outer wall of the casing, the
outlet allowing the player to take out the prize dropped into the
drop inlet; a drop inlet opening/closing portion disposed above the
drop inlet or on a path from the drop inlet to the outlet, the drop
inlet opening/closing portion opening and closing the drop inlet or
the path; an opening/closing driving mechanism for opening and
closing the drop inlet by driving the drop inlet opening/closing
portion; a prize depositing portion for temporarily depositing the
prize dropped into the drop inlet, the prize depositing portion
including an outlet for allowing the player to take out the
deposited prize; a pressure detecting unit configured to detect
pressure applied to the inside of the prize depositing portion; and
a controlling unit configured to control opening and closing of the
drop inlet, in which the controlling unit controls driving of the
drop inlet opening/closing portion such that the drop inlet is
opened by the opening/closing driving mechanism if no pressure is
applied to the inside of the prize depositing portion on the basis
of a detection signal from the pressure detecting unit.
[0022] According to the present invention, the driving of the drop
inlet opening/closing portion is controlled such that the drop
inlet is opened by the opening/closing driving mechanism if the
outlet opening/closing portion has closed the outlet on the basis
of a detection signal from the outlet opening/closing detecting
unit. Thus, the drop inlet is opened during an operation of the
player and it is possible to drop the prize into the drop inlet and
keep the player from illicitly taking out the prize in the casing
from the outlet, thereby preventing the theft of the prize.
[0023] Further, according to the present invention, a state where
the outlet opening/closing portion has closed the outlet is
maintained by locking the outlet locking unit if the outlet
opening/closing portion has closed the outlet on the basis of a
detection signal from the outlet opening/closing detecting unit.
Thus, it is possible to prevent the opening of the outlet
opening/closing portion during an operation of the player and keep
the player from illicitly taking out the prize in the casing from
the outlet, thereby preventing the theft of the prize while the
drop inlet is opened.
[0024] Further, according to the present invention, the player is
notified to close the outlet if the outlet is opened on the basis
of a detection signal from the outlet opening/closing detecting
unit. Thus, if the player tries to start a game while the outlet
opening/closing portion is opened before the game start, it is
possible to instruct the player to close the outlet opening/closing
portion.
[0025] Further, according to the present invention, the drop inlet
opening/closing portion. is driven by the opening/closing driving
mechanism and the outlet opening/closing portion is controlled such
that it is openable and closable by releasing a lock of the outlet
locking unit if the drop inlet opening/closing portion has closed
the drop inlet on the basis of a detection signal from the drop
inlet opening/closing detecting unit. Thus, it is possible to keep
the player from opening the drop inlet opening/closing portion when
the outlet opening/closing portion is opened and also keep the
player from illicitly taking out the prize in the casing from the
outlet, thereby preventing the theft of the prize.
[0026] Further, according to the present invention, the drop inlet
opening/closing portion is driven using the opening/closing driving
mechanism. And, if the drop inlet opening/closing portion has
closed the drop inlet on the basis of a detection signal from the
drop inlet opening/closing detecting unit, the state where the drop
inlet opening/closing portion has closed the drop inlet is
maintained using the drop inlet locking unit and opening/closing of
the outlet opening/closing portion is controlled such that the
outlet is opened by releasing a lock of the outlet locking unit.
Thus, it is possible to keep the player from illicitly taking out
the prize in the casing from the outlet, thereby preventing the
theft of the prize.
[0027] Further, according to the present invention, an
opening/closing mechanism is included, in which the mechanism is
biased by a biasing unit such that the drop inlet opening/closing
portion is rotated and returned to an original position after the
drop inlet opening/closing portion is rotated by colliding with the
prize dropped into the drop inlet. Thus, when failure occurs in an
electrical system, the drop inlet opening/closing portion is
automatically returned after the prize is dropped, so that it is
possible to keep the player from illicitly taking out the prize in
the casing from the outlet, thereby preventing the theft of the
prize.
[0028] Further, according to the present invention, a lock release
operation portion is included, in which a lock of the outlet
locking unit is released through an operation of the player when
the state where the outlet opening/closing portion has closed the
outlet is maintained using the outlet locking unit. And, the
opening/closing driving mechanism is driven such that the drop
inlet opening/closing portion closes the drop inlet and then the
lock of the outlet locking unit is released in response to an
operation signal from the lock release operation portion. Thus, for
example, when coins for a plurality of games are inserted to
continuously play the plurality of games, it is possible to
temporarily suspend the play and take out the prize by operating
the lock release operation portion upon obtaining the prize during
the play.
[0029] Further, according to the present invention, the player is
notified to take out the prize in the inside of the prize
depositing portion through the prize takeout notifying unit if the
prize is dropped in the inside of the prize depositing portion on
the basis of a detection signal from the prize detecting unit.
Thus, it is possible to instruct the player to remember to take out
the prize.
[0030] Further, according to the present invention, driving of the
drop inlet opening/closing portion is controlled such that the drop
inlet is opened by the opening/closing driving mechanism if no
pressure is applied to the inside of the prize depositing portion
on the basis of a detection signal from the pressure detecting
unit. Thus, for example, when a child enters the outlet, the
pressure detecting unit detects his weight and the drop inlet
opening/closing portion is driven to a position for closing the
drop inlet. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the child from
illicitly taking out the prize in the inside of the casing from the
outlet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a
prize-capturing game apparatus according to the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a front view with a partial cross-section showing
each internal mechanism of a prize-capturing game apparatus;
[0033] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing an operation
portion 38 and a prize deposit room 30 of a prize-capturing game
apparatus 10;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a prize outlet door 34 being
opened;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the prize outlet door 34 being
closed;
[0036] FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view showing a mechanism 37 for
opening and closing the drop inlet;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the mechanism 37 for opening
and closing the drop inlet with a drop inlet 26 closed;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the mechanism 37 for opening
and closing the drop inlet with the drop inlet 26 opened;
[0039] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
control apparatus and each device;
[0040] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for illustrating a main control
process performed by a CPU 92;
[0041] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for illustrating a process for
controlling shutter opening performed by the CPU 92;
[0042] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for illustrating a process for
controlling door opening and closing performed by the CPU 92;
[0043] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for illustrating a process for
controlling shutter closing performed by the CPU 92;
[0044] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for illustrating a sensor monitoring
process performed by the CPU 92;
[0045] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a prize-capturing game
apparatus according to embodiment 3;
[0046] FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a
prize-capturing game apparatus according to embodiment 3 when
viewed from the front;
[0047] FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a
prize-capturing game apparatus according to embodiment 3 when
viewed from the side;
[0048] FIG. 18 is a process chart for illustrating a movement of a
shutter 104 according to embodiment 3 when a prize 18 is dropped
from the drop inlet 26, in which FIG. 18-(A) shows a state before
the prize 18 abuts on the shutter 104, FIG. 18-(B) shows a state
where the prize 18 abuts on the shutter 104, FIG. 18-(C) shows a
state where the shutter 104 pressed by the prize 18 is rotated, and
FIG. 18-(D) shows a state where the shutter 104 is returned after
the prize 18 is dropped;
[0049] FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a
prize-capturing game apparatus according to embodiment 4 when
viewed from the side, in which FIG. 19-(A) shows a state before the
prize 18 abuts on a pair of shutters 124 and FIG. 19-(B) shows a
state where the prize 18 is dropped after abutting on the pair of
shutters 124;
[0050] FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a
prize-capturing game apparatus according to embodiment 5 when
viewed from the side;
[0051] FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a configuration of
shutters 134 according to embodiment 5;
[0052] FIG. 22 is a plan view showing a configuration of a locking
mechanism 142 according to embodiment 5; and
[0053] FIG. 23 is a side view showing the pair of shutters 134
being opened.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0054] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will
be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1
[0055] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a
prize-capturing game apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view with a partial cross-section showing each
internal mechanism of the prize-capturing game apparatus.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a prize-capturing game
apparatus 10, a prize storage portion 14 is disposed on the inside
of a casing 12. Large-sized transparent windows 16a to 16c
surrounding the prize storage portion 14 are disposed on a front
face and right and left sides of the casing 12 and a back face
board is disposed on a back face thereof. A plurality of prizes 18
are arranged in the prize storage portion 14. For example,
relatively large stuffed animals are stored.
[0057] On a ceiling 20 supported by upper portions of the
transparent windows 16a to 16c, a prize obtaining mechanism (a
prize obtaining unit) 22 is disposed. Since the configuration of
the prize obtaining mechanism 22 is known, description thereof is
omitted.
[0058] The prize obtaining mechanism 22 has a suspended movable
body 24 configured to move in the backward and forward directions
(Ya and Yb directions), in the right and left directions (Xa and Xb
directions), and in the upward and downward directions (Za and Zb
directions). The movable body 24 before a game start is stationary
in a standby position (a start position) shown in FIG. 1. Although
the standby position (the start position) is set to a higher
position relative to the drop inlet 26 for dropping a prize, the
movable body 24 may be disposed in other position.
[0059] The drop inlet 26 is formed using an opening with an area
sufficiently larger than the prize 18. In a boundary between the
drop inlet 26 and the bottom of the prize storage portion 14, a
partition board 28 including an acrylic board is erected. The
partition board 28 involves a prize partitioning unit configured to
partition the inside of the prize storage portion so as to keep the
prize therein. In addition, the partition board 28 functions as a
drop preventing unit configured to prevent stacked prizes from
dropping into the drop inlet 26 through the shaking of the casing
and the like (generated when a customer bumps against the casing,
for example), for example. Also, the partition board 28 functions
as a protection wall for preventing the theft of the prize 18, by
which even when the player tries to insert the hand below the drop
inlet 26, the partition board 28 prevents the player from reaching
for the prize 18 stored in the prize storage portion 14. The
partition board 28 is configured to be detachable, so that the
attachment may be eliminated depending on stores.
[0060] The movable body 24 is designed to have an elliptical form
to remind a UFO and a pair of arms (gripping members) 24a and 24b
are disposed on a lower portion thereof. And a clamping mechanism
(not shown in the drawings) for performing opening and closing
operations of the pair of arms 24a and 24b is disposed on the
inside of the movable body 24. The clamping mechanism opens the
pair of arms 24a and 24b after the movable body 24 is moved in the
backward and forward directions and in the right and left
directions and stopped at a given position by the prize obtaining
mechanism 22. Then, the clamp mechanism grips a given prize 18 by
closing the pair of arms 24a and 24b after the movable body 24 is
lowered. Thereafter, the movable body 24 is elevated.
[0061] Then, the movable body 24 is moved toward the standby
position (the start position) by the prize obtaining mechanism 22
and stopped above the drop inlet 26. The clamp mechanism opens the
pair of arms 24a and 24b again and drops the gripped prize 18 into
the drop inlet 26.
[0062] A prize deposit room (a prize deposit portion) 30 is formed
in a path from the drop inlet 26 to an outlet 32. The prize 18
dropped into the prize deposit room 30 can be taken out from the
outlet 32 disposed on the front face of the casing 12. The outlet
32 and the prize deposit room 30 are provided with sufficiently
large areas so as to support the development of the large-sized
prize 18.
[0063] A prize outlet door (an opening/closing. portion of the
outlet) 34 including a transparent or translucent acrylic board is
disposed on the outlet 32 in an openable and closable manner. A
hinge (not shown in the drawings) is disposed on the prize outlet
door 34 at a left end thereof when viewed from the front and a
handle 36 is disposed on the prize outlet door 34 at a right end
thereof. Thus, by rotating the prize outlet door 34 in the
horizontal direction, the outlet 32 is opened and it is possible to
take out the prize 18 dropped into the prize deposit room 30 from
the drop inlet 26.
[0064] A mechanism 37 for opening and closing the drop inlet (an
opening/closing driving mechanism) is disposed on the inside of the
casing 12. The mechanism 37 for opening and closing the drop inlet
is controlled in association with the opening and closing of the
prize outlet door 34 as will be described in the following and
opens the drop inlet 26 during a game only when the outlet 32 is
closed with the prize outlet door 34. Only when the drop inlet 26
is closed by the mechanism 37 for opening and closing the drop
inlet, the lock of the prize outlet door 34 is released and it is
possible to take out the prize 18.
[0065] Further, an operation portion 38 for allowing the player to
perform operation is disposed on the front face of the casing 12.
Below the operation portion 38, there are disposed a door close
indicating lamp 40, a door open indicating lamp 41, and a switch
button (a lock release operation portion) 42 for releasing the door
lock of the prize outlet door 34 operated when taking out the prize
18 obtained during a plurality of plays from the prize deposit room
30.
[0066] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the operation
portion 38 and the prize deposit room 30 of the prize-capturing
game apparatus 10.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 3, when taking out the prize 18 dropped
into the prize deposit room 30, the player is capable of opening
the outlet 32 by pulling the handle 36 and rotating the prize
outlet door 34 in the lateral direction. Because the prize outlet
door 34 is biased in a closing direction with a biasing member 72
as will be described in the following, the prize outlet door 34 is
configured to rotate in the closing direction to close the outlet
32 regardless of the existence of a closing operation by the player
after the prize 18 is taken out.
[0068] The operation portion 38 is protruded from the front face of
the casing 12. The operation portion 38 comprises an instruction
portion 43 for instructing the player to close the prize outlet
door 34 when the prize outlet door 34 is opened, a switch button 44
of operation in X direction for moving the movable body 24 in the
horizontal direction, a switch button 46 of operation in Y
direction for moving the movable body 24 in the backward and
forward directions, an operation button 48 for performing a
predetermined operation (moving/stopping the movable body in the
upward and downward directions, for example) besides the operations
of the switches 44 and 46, and a coin slot 50.
[0069] When the player wishes to play a plurality of games
continuously, by inserting coins exceeding the fee for a single
game into the coin slot 50, it is possible to deposit game fees for
the following games as a credit. The number of remaining games is
displayed to the player on a display portion (not shown in the
drawings) and the plurality of games are set.
[0070] The prize deposit room 30 has the drop inlet 26 opened above
and the outlet 32 opened on the front face. A prize drop detecting
portion 51 for detecting the drop of the prize 18 is disposed on a
surface of a side wall of the path from the drop inlet 26 to the
outlet 32. The prize drop detecting portion 51 comprises an
infrared sensor 52 (an object detecting unit shown with dashed
lines in FIG. 3), and a reflecting plate 54 for reflecting a
detecting light (infrared light) emitted from the infrared sensor
52. A plurality of infrared sensors 52 include a combination of a
light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, for example,
and output a detection signal when the infrared light from the
light-emitting element cannot be received with the light-receiving
element.
[0071] In the prize drop detecting portion 51, the plurality of
infrared sensors 52 (52.sub.1 to 52n) are arranged in a line. The
infrared light emitted from the light-emitting element of the
plurality of infrared sensors 52 (52.sub.1 to 52n) is reflected
with the reflecting plate 54 and the reflected light is received by
the light-receiving element of the infrared sensor 52. The prize 18
blocks a plurality of infrared lights when passing through the drop
inlet 26, whereby the plurality of infrared sensors 52 (52.sub.1 to
52.sub.n) detect the prize 18 being dropped. According as the
number of the plurality of infrared sensors 52 (52.sub.1 to 52n)
disposed is increased, the resolution of detection is improved. In
the present embodiment, not less than fourteen sensors are
disposed.
[0072] In the prize drop detecting portion 51, the plurality of
infrared sensors 52 (52.sub.1 to 52.sub.n) are arranged on one side
of the drop inlet 26 in a concentrated manner and the reflecting
plate 54 is disposed on the opposite side. The light-emitting
element and the light-receiving element may be separate bodies and
disposed on both sides in an opposing manner. However, the side
where the infrared sensor 52 is disposed is positioned closely to a
game board (not shown in the drawings) disposed on the inside of
the casing, so that the wiring work thereof is easier than the case
where the sensors are disposed on both sides.
[0073] The infrared sensor 52 emits an infrared light at constant
periods, allows the infrared light to be reflected with the
reflecting plate 54, and receives the reflected light, thereby
performing sensing. Thus, by successively emitting and receiving
the light at predetermined periods using the plurality of infrared
sensors 52 (52.sub.1 to 52n), it is possible to deal with the drop
inlet 26, which is a detection area, as a plane. And when the
emitted infrared light cannot be received, it is possible to detect
the existence of an object. Thus, it is possible to detect the
presence or absence of the dropped prize 18 and a child when he
enters the prize deposit room 30 and blocks the infrared light.
[0074] A pressure sensor 58 for detecting weight (shown with dashed
lines in FIG. 3) is disposed on a backside of a bottom plate 56 of
the prize deposit room 30. The pressure sensor 58 may be of a type
which outputs a detection signal in response to weight not less
than five kg. For example, when the prize 18 of not more than five
kg is dropped, the pressure sensor 58 does not output the detection
signal, while when a child having not less than five kg enters the
prize deposit room 30 from the outlet 32, for example, the pressure
sensor 58 outputs the detection signal in response to the weight of
the child. Although the present embodiment employs a pressure
sensor formed into a thin strip referred to as a tape switch, the
pressure sensor is not limited to this, and other pressure sensor
(a load cell, for example) may be used.
[0075] When the pressure sensor 58 detects the application of
weight for not less than a predetermined time set in advance, it is
determined that an object exists in the prize deposit room 30 (the
child or the like enters and does not come out, for example), and a
buzzer 59 (refer to FIG. 9) emits a buzzer sound at high volume.
Accordingly it is possible to prompt the child who entered the
prize deposit room 30 to come out before he gets injured.
[0076] To an inner right end of the prize outlet door 34, a hook 60
for locking the door is attached. The hook 60 is locked in a door
closed state using a door locking mechanism 62 (hidden and not
shown in FIG. 3) as will be described below.
[0077] The door locking mechanism is described in the
following.
[0078] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the prize outlet door 34 being
opened. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the prize outlet door 34
being closed.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 4, the door locking mechanism (the outlet
locking unit) 62 for locking the prize outlet door 34 in a closed
state is disposed on the inside of the casing 12. The locking
mechanism 62 comprises a locking motor 64, a plate-like engaging
member 66 disposed on a rotary shaft of the locking motor 64, and a
door sensor (a detecting unit configured to detect the
opening/closing of the outlet) 68 for detecting whether the prize
outlet door 34 is in a closed position or not.
[0080] The door locking mechanism 62 also includes a door lock
detecting switch 69a (refer to FIG. 6) for detecting whether the
engaging member 66 is engaged with the hook 60 and rotated to a
door lock position for locking the prize outlet door 34, and a door
lock release detecting switch 69b for detecting whether the
engaging member 66 is spaced from the hook 60 and rotated to a door
lock releasing position for releasing the lock of the prize outlet
door 34.
[0081] The prize outlet door 34 is rotated fully opened at an angle
of about 90 to 100 degrees relative to a hinge 70 as a fulcrum. In
addition, the biasing member 72 for biasing the prize outlet door
34 in the closing direction is disposed on the hinge 70. Thus,
after the player opened the prize outlet door 34 and took out the
prize 18, when the player releases the prize outlet door 34, the
prize outlet door 34 is automatically returned to the closed state
(shown in FIG. 5) by the biasing member 72.
[0082] As shown in FIG. 5, in the locking mechanism 62, when a coin
of a predetermined fee is inserted into the coin slot 50 with the
outlet 32 closed using the prize outlet door 34, the locking motor
64 is driven and the engaging member 66 is rotated to engage with
the hook 60. Accordingly, the hook 60 is locked by the engaging
member 66 and the prize outlet door 34 cannot be opened. In other
words, the locking mechanism 62 locks the prize outlet door 34 in
the closed position.
[0083] This prevents the player from intruding into the prize
deposit room 30 from the outlet 32 and also prevents the player
from illicitly taking out the prize 18 placed in the prize storage
portion 14. Thus, the door locking mechanism 62 is capable of
preventing the player from inserting the hand from the outlet 32
and the theft of the prize 18 by locking the prize outlet door 34
and closing the outlet 32.
[0084] Further, when the door sensor 68 of the locking mechanism 62
cannot detect the state where the prize outlet door 34 is closed,
the instruction portion 43 displays a message for instructing the
player to close the prize outlet door 34, or an announcement such
as "Please close the door" is made through a speaker 49.
[0085] When the prize outlet door 34 is closed and the door sensor
68 is ON, the locking motor 64 is driven and the engaging member 66
is rotated to engage with the hook 60, thereby locking the prize
outlet door 34 in the closed position.
[0086] In the following, the configuration of the mechanism 37 for
opening and closing the drop inlet mentioned above is
described.
[0087] FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view showing the mechanism 37
for opening and closing the drop inlet. FIG. 7 is a plan view
showing the mechanism 37 for opening and closing the drop inlet
with the drop inlet 26 closed. And FIG. 8 is a plan view showing
the mechanism 37 for opening and closing the drop inlet with the
drop inlet 26 opened.
[0088] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mechanism 37 for opening and
closing the drop inlet comprises a shutter (a portion for opening
and closing the drop inlet) 74 including a slide plate for opening
and closing the drop inlet 26, a pair of guide rails 76 and 77 for
guiding both sides of the shutter 74, and a driving portion 78 for
moving the shutter 74 in the Xa and Xb directions (the closing
direction or the opening direction).
[0089] The driving portion 78 comprises a turning arm 80 for
engaging with the shutter 74, a shutter driving motor 82 for
turning the turning arm 80 in the horizontal direction, a closed
position detecting switch (a unit configured to detect the closing
of the drop inlet) 84 for detecting whether the turning arm 80 is
rotated to the closed position, and an opened position detecting
switch (a unit configured to detect the opening of the drop inlet)
86 for detecting whether the turning arm 80 is rotated to the
opened position.
[0090] The shutter 74 is slidably disposed between the opened
position for opening the drop inlet 26 during the game and the
closed position for closing the drop inlet 26 after the game. Thus,
the mechanism 37 for opening and closing the drop inlet closes the
drop inlet 26 by sliding the shutter 74, and thus blocks
communication between the prize deposit room 30 and the drop inlet
26, thereby preventing the theft of the prize 18 with the shutter
74 in the closed position when the player tries to insert the hand
from the outlet 32 to steal the prize 18 disposed in the vicinity
of the drop inlet 26.
[0091] On the side of the shutter 74 in the backward and forward
directions, a plurality of rollers 88 to 91 for rolling on the
guide rails 76 and 77 are disposed. The roller 88 is configured to
abut on a horizontal portion 76a of the guide rail 76 and the
roller 89 is configured to abut on a vertical portion 76b of the
guide rail 76. Further, the roller 90 is configured to abut on a
horizontal portion 77a of the guide rail 77 and the roller 91 is
configured to abut on a vertical portion 77b of the guide rail
77.
[0092] Thus, the shutter 74 is guided in the Xa and Xb directions
(the closed position direction or the opened position direction) by
the rollers 88 to 91 while being regulated in the backward and
forward directions and in the upward and downward directions. On an
undersurface of the shutter 74, an engaging groove 92 formed in an
elongated manner in the backward and forward directions is
disposed. An engaging roller 94 disposed on the tip of the turning
arm 80 is fitted in the engaging groove 92. Accordingly, a turning
movement of the turning arm 80 is converted into a sliding movement
(linear motion) of the shutter 74 by the engaging roller 94 moving
along the engaging groove 92.
[0093] On an undersurface of the turning arm 80, a position
detecting piece 80a is protruded and the position detecting piece
80a passes through a shutter closed position detecting switch 84
and a shutter opened position detecting switch 86 supported by a
bracket 83 of the shutter driving motor 82. In the present
embodiment, the shutter closed position detecting switch 84 and the
shutter opened position detecting switch 86 include a U-shaped
photo interrupter. When the position detecting piece 80a passes
through a space between a light-emitting element and a
light-receiving element, a detection light is blocked and a
detection signal is outputted. Thus, the passage position of the
position detecting piece 80a is detected upon passing through the
shutter closed position detecting switch 84 and the shutter opened
position detecting switch 86.
[0094] The amount of movement of the shutter 74 in the Xa and Xb
directions is determined in accordance with the length of the
turning arm 80. A rotation angle of the turning arm 80 is set to
about 190 degrees. In other words, as shown in FIG. 7, rotation
positions of the turning arm 80 include a lock position A for
locking the shutter 74 in a locked state, a closed position B where
the shutter 74 reaches the closed position, a middle position C
where the shutter 74 is positioned in the middle of the sliding
movement, and an opened position D where the shutter 74 reaches the
opened position. In FIG. 7, the frame of the shutter 74 is shown
and a plate to be fixed on the frame is omitted.
[0095] The shutter closed position detecting switch 84 detects
whether the turning arm 80 is in the lock position A and the
shutter opened position detecting switch 86 detects whether the
turning arm 80 is in the opened position D. When the turning arm 80
is in the lock position A, a dead point of the turning radius
relative to a reciprocating motion is passed, so that when the
player tries to slide the shutter 74 in the Xb direction, the
turning arm 80 is lodged and functions as a drop inlet locking
unit. Thus, the shutter 74 is held in the closed position.
Accordingly, when the power is off due to failure, for example, the
shutter 74 is locked in the closed position due to the rotation
angle of the turning arm 80, so that when the player tries to
insert the hand into the prize deposit room 30 to open the shutter
74, the turning arm 80 is not rotated and the opening of the
shutter 74 is prevented.
[0096] In the following, the operation of the mechanism 37 for
opening and closing the drop inlet configured as mentioned above is
described.
[0097] Before the player inserts a coin into the coin slot 50, in
the mechanism 37 for opening and closing the drop inlet, as shown
in FIG. 7, the shutter 74 is held in the lock position A. Then,
when the player inserts a coin into the coin slot 50, the shutter
driving motor 82 is driven to turn the turning arm 80 from the lock
position A to the opened position D. Thus, the shutter 74 is slid
in the Xb direction and moved to the opened position as shown in
FIG. 8 in accordance with the rotation of the turning arm 80 in the
counterclockwise direction.
[0098] By moving the shutter 74 to the opened position, the drop
inlet 26 is fully opened. After the game is started, when the prize
18 is gripped using the arms 24a and 24b of the movable body 24 and
dropped into the drop inlet 26, the shutter driving motor 82 is
driven to turn the turning arm 80 from the opened position D to the
lock position A. Thus, the shutter 74 is slid in the Xa direction
and moved to the closed position in accordance with the rotation of
the turning arm 80 in the clockwise direction.
[0099] Accordingly, when the player opens the prize outlet door 34
and takes out the prize 18 dropped into the prize deposit room 30,
the drop inlet 26 is closed with the shutter 74 and the turning arm
80 holds the shutter 74 so as not to slide in the lock position A,
so that the player cannot insert the hand into the prize storage
portion 14 from the drop inlet 26 to illicitly obtain other
prize.
[0100] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
control apparatus and each device.
[0101] As shown in FIG. 9, a control apparatus 90 of the
prize-capturing game apparatus 10 comprises a CPU (central
processing unit), a ROM 94, a RAM 96, and an I/O interface 98. Each
device mentioned above is connected to the I/O interface 98.
[0102] Examples of devices connected to the CPU 92 via the I/O
interface 98 include each motor of the prize obtaining mechanism
22, the door close indicating lamp 40, the door open indicating
lamp 41, a door lock releasing switch 42a, an instruction portion
indicating lamp 43a, an X direction operating switch 44a, a Y
direction operating switch 46a, other operation switch 48a, the
loudspeaker 49, a coin switch 50a of the coin slot 50, the infrared
sensors 52 (52.sub.1 to 52.sub.n), the pressure sensor 58, the
buzzer 59, the locking motor 64, the door sensor 68, the door lock
detecting switch 69a, the door lock release detecting switch 69b,
the shutter driving motor 82, the shutter closed position detecting
switch 84, the shutter opened position detecting switch 86, and the
like.
[0103] The ROM 94 stores a control program P1 for performing the
drive control of the shutter 74 such that the drop inlet 26 is
opened by the mechanism 37 for opening and closing the drop inlet
when the prize outlet door 34 has closed the outlet 32 on the basis
of a detection signal from the door sensor 68. The ROM 94 also
stores a control program P2 for maintaining a state where the prize
outlet door 34 has closed the outlet 32 by locking the door locking
mechanism 62 when the prize outlet door 34 has closed the outlet 32
on the basis of the detection signal from the door sensor 68. The
ROM 94 also stores a control program P3 for notifying the player to
close the outlet 32 when the outlet 32 is opened on the basis of
the detection signal from the door sensor 68.
[0104] Further, the ROM 94 stores a control program P4 for driving
the shutter 74 using the mechanism 37 for opening and closing the
drop inlet, and for controlling the prize outlet door 34 in an
openable and closable manner by releasing the lock of the door
locking mechanism 62 when the shutter 74 has closed the drop inlet
26 on the basis of the detection signal of the shutter closed
position detecting switch 84. The ROM 94 also stores a control
program P5 for driving the shutter 74 using the mechanism 37 for
opening and closing the drop inlet, for maintaining the state where
the prize outlet door 34 has closed the outlet 32 using the door
locking mechanism 62 when the shutter 74 has closed the drop inlet
26 on the basis of the detection signal from the shutter closed
position detecting switch 84, and for controlling the opening and
closing of the prize outlet door 34 such that the outlet 32 is
opened by releasing the lock of the door locking mechanism 62 in
accordance with a signal from the door lock releasing switch
42a.
[0105] In the following, the control process performed by the CPU
92 of the control apparatus 90 mentioned above is described.
[0106] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for illustrating a main control
process performed by the CPU 92. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for
illustrating a process for controlling shutter opening performed by
the CPU 92. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for illustrating a process for
controlling door opening and closing performed by the CPU 92. And
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for illustrating a process for controlling
shutter closing performed by the CPU 92.
[0107] In the CPU 92 of the control apparatus 90, in S11 of FIG.
10, the coin switch 50a is switched to ON when the player inserts a
coin of a predetermined amount of money into the coin slot 50.
Then, the process proceeds to S12, where a game is started and an
electronic music, for example, is played through the loudspeaker
49.
[0108] In the following S13, the shutter 74 is moved in the opening
direction (the Xb direction) by driving the shutter driving motor
82 and the drop inlet 26 is opened. In S14, whether the shutter 74
is opened is confirmed. In other words, the process confirms
whether the shutter opened position detecting switch 86 has
detected the turning arm 80.
[0109] In the following S15, whether the X direction operating
switch 44a is operated to ON is confirmed. When the player
depresses the switch button 44 of operation in X direction, the X
direction operating switch 44a is ON, so that the process proceeds
to S16 and moves the movable body 24 in the Xb direction (the right
direction when viewed from the front) by driving the prize
obtaining mechanism 22. Next, the process proceeds to S17 and
confirms whether the player has released the switch button 44 of
operation in X direction and the switch button 44 of operation in X
direction is OFF or whether a limit position in the X direction is
reached.
[0110] In S17, if the X direction operating switch 44a is ON, the
process returns to S16 and moves the movable body 24 in the Xb
direction. And in S17, if the X direction operating switch 44a is
OFF, or the movable body 24 has reached the limit position in the X
direction, the process proceeds to S18 and stops the movable body
24. In the following S19, whether the Y direction operating switch
46a is operated to ON is confirmed.
[0111] When the player depressed the switch button 46 of operation
in Y direction, the Y direction operating switch 46a is ON, so that
the process proceeds to S20 and moves the movable body 24 in the Yb
direction (the backward direction when viewed from the front) by
driving the prize obtaining mechanism 22. Next, the process
proceeds to S21 and confirms whether the player has released the
switch button 46 of operation in Y direction and the Y direction
operating switch 46a is OFF, or whether a limit position in the Y
direction is reached.
[0112] In S21, if the Y direction operating switch 46a is ON, the
process returns to S20 and moves the movable body 24 in the Yb
direction. And in S21, if the Y direction operating switch 46a is
OFF, or the movable body 24 has reached the limit position in the Y
direction, the process proceeds to S22 and stops the movable body
24.
[0113] When the movement of the movable body 24 by the prize
obtaining mechanism 22 is ended, the process proceeds to S23 and
opens the pair of arms 24a and 24b disposed on the movable body 24.
Then, the process proceeds to S24 and lowers the movable body 24
(in the Zb direction). In the following S25, a given prize 18
placed in the prize storage portion 14 is gripped by closing the
pair of arms 24a and 24b.
[0114] Next, in S26, the gripped prize 18 is suspended by elevating
the movable body 24 using the prize obtaining mechanism 22. In S27,
the movable body 24 is returned to the standby position (the start
position) by the prize obtaining mechanism 22. Thereafter, when the
movable body 24 has reached the standby position (the start
position) and become stationary, the pair of arms 24a and 24b are
opened. Accordingly, the prize 18 gripped by the pair of arms 24a
and 24b is dropped into the drop inlet 26. If the prize 18 is not
gripped, although the pair of arms 24a and 24b are opened, the
prize 18 is not dropped into the drop inlet 26.
[0115] In the following S29, if a plurality of games are set,
whether there is an unused remaining credit is confirmed. In S29,
if there is no remaining credit, the process proceeds to S30, moves
the shutter 74 in the closing direction (the Xa direction) by
driving shutter driving motor 82, and closes the drop inlet 26. In
S31, whether the shutter 74 is closed or not is confirmed. In other
words, the process confirms whether the shutter closed position
detecting switch 84 has detected the turning arm 80 turned to the
closed position A, thereby ending this game.
[0116] In S29, if there is an unused remaining credit, the process
proceeds to S32 and blinks the door lock releasing switch button
42. Then the process returns to the aforementioned S15 and performs
processing from S15 again.
[0117] In the following, the process for opening the shutter 74 in
S13 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 11.
[0118] As shown in FIG. 11, when a code for instructing the opening
of the shutter is received in S41, the process proceeds to S42 and
checks the presence or absence of an output (volume) from the door
sensor 68.
[0119] In the following S43, if a detection signal is outputted
from the door sensor 68 as a result of the aforementioned S42, the
process proceeds to S44. If the detection signal is not outputted
from the door sensor 68, the process proceeds to S48. In S44, the
engaging member 66 is locked on the hook 60 by driving the locking
motor 64 of the locking mechanism 62. Accordingly, the prize outlet
door 34 is locked in the closed state by the locking mechanism
62.
[0120] In the following S45, the shutter 74 is moved in the opening
direction (the Xb direction) by driving the shutter driving motor
82. Next, the process proceeds to S46 and confirms whether the
shutter 74 is opened. In other words, the process confirms whether
the shutter opened position detecting switch 86 has detected the
turning arm 80.
[0121] When the shutter opened position detecting switch 86 is ON
in S46, the process proceeds to S47 and returns a code for
notifying that the shutter 74 is moved to the opened position.
[0122] In S43, if the detection signal is not outputted from the
door sensor 68, since the prize outlet door 34 has not closed the
outlet 32, the process proceeds to S48 and instructs the player to
close the prize outlet door 34 by blinking the indicating lamp 43a
of the instruction portion 43.
[0123] In the following S49, whether a predetermined time set in
advance has elapsed is confirmed and the aforementioned processing
in S43 and S48 is repeated until the predetermined time has
elapsed. If the prize outlet door 34 is not closed after the
predetermined time has elapsed in S49, the process proceeds to S50
and an announcement such as "Please close the prize outlet door" is
made through the speaker 49.
[0124] In the following S51, the presence or absence of the output
from the door sensor 68 is checked again. In S51, if the detection
signal is outputted from the door sensor 68, since the prize outlet
door 34 is closed, the process returns to the aforementioned S44
and the processing from S44 is performed. In S51, if the detection
signal is not outputted from the door sensor 68, since the prize
outlet door 34 is not closed, the process proceeds to S52, an error
is issued, and a buzzer sound is emitted to notify a store clerk
that the prize outlet door 34 is not closed.
[0125] In S46, if the shutter opened position detecting switch 86
is not ON and whether the shutter 74 is moved to the opened
position is not confirmed, the process proceeds to S53, in which
whether a predetermined time has elapsed is confirmed and the
aforementioned processing in S46 and S53 is repeated until the
predetermined time has elapsed. In S53, if the shutter 74 has not
moved to the opened position after the predetermined time has
elapsed, the process proceeds to S54, an error is issued, and an
alarm sound is emitted from the loudspeaker 49 to notify the store
clerk of the failure of the shutter.
[0126] The following describes, with reference to FIG. 12,
processing performed when the door lock releasing switch 42a is
operated to ON in S32, in other words, door lock releasing
processing when the player opens the prize outlet door 34 and takes
out the prize 18 dropped into the prize deposit room 30 while the
player has not finished all games in a case where a plurality of
games are set and the prize 18 is dropped from the drop inlet 26
into the prize deposit room 30.
[0127] As shown in FIG. 12, when the door lock releasing switch 42a
is operated to ON, a code for indicating that the door lock
releasing switch 42a is ON is received in S61 and the process
proceeds to S62 and sets the button operation of one play
(operations of the switch button 44 of operation in X direction and
the switch button 46 of operation in Y direction) to be
disabled.
[0128] In the following S63, the shutter 74 is moved in the closing
direction (the Xa direction) by driving the shutter driving motor
82 and the drop inlet 26 is closed. In S64, whether the shutter 74
is closed is confirmed. In other words, the process confirms
whether the shutter closed position detecting switch 84 has
detected the turning arm 80 turned to the closed position A.
[0129] In S64, when the shutter closed position detecting switch 84
is ON, the process proceeds to S65, in which the engaging member 66
is spaced from the hook 60 by driving the locking motor 64 of the
locking mechanism 62, and the lock of the prize outlet door 34 is
released. In the following S66, the presence or absence of the
output from the door sensor 68 is checked.
[0130] In the following S66, if the detection signal is outputted
from the door sensor 68, since the prize outlet door 34 is closed,
the process proceeds to S47 and confirms whether the predetermined
time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has not elapsed in S47,
the process returns to S66 mentioned above.
[0131] In S66, if the detection signal is not outputted from the
door sensor 68, since the prize outlet door 34 is opened and the
prize 18 is taken out from the outlet 32, the process proceeds to
S68 and checks the presence or absence of the output from the door
sensor 68 again. In S68, if the detection signal is outputted from
the door sensor 68, since the prize outlet door 34 is closed after
the prize 18 is taken out, the process proceeds to S69. In S67, if
the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S69
since the prize 18 is not taken out in the predetermined time.
[0132] In S69, the engaging member 66 is engaged with the hook 60
and the prize outlet door 34 is locked in the closed state by
driving the locking motor 64 of the locking mechanism 62. In the
following S70, the shutter 74 is moved in the opening direction
(the Xb direction) by driving the shutter driving motor 82 and the
drop inlet 26 is opened.
[0133] Then the process proceeds to S71 and sets the button
operation of one play (operations of the switch button 44 of
operation in X direction and the switch button 46 of operation in Y
direction) set to be disabled in S69 to be enabled. Next, in S72, a
code for indicating that the shutter 74 is moved to the opened
position is returned.
[0134] In S68 mentioned above, if the detection signal is not
outputted from the door sensor 68, since the prize outlet door 34
is opened, the process proceeds to S73 and instructs the player to
close the prize outlet door 34 by blinking the indicating lamp 43a
of the instruction portion 43.
[0135] In the following S74, whether a predetermined time set in
advance has elapsed is confirmed and the aforementioned processing
in S68 and S73 is repeated until the predetermined time has
elapsed. If the prize outlet door 34 is not closed after the
predetermined time has elapsed in S74, the process proceeds to S75
and an announcement such as "Please close the prize outlet door" is
made through the speaker 49, for example.
[0136] In the following S76, the presence or absence of the output
from the door sensor 68 is checked again. In S76, if the detection
signal is outputted from the door sensor 68, since the prize outlet
door 34 is closed, the process returns to the aforementioned S69
and the processing from S69 is performed. In S76, if the detection
signal is not outputted from the door sensor 68, since the prize
outlet door 34 is not closed, the process proceeds to S77, an error
is issued, and a buzzer sound is emitted to notify the store clerk
that the prize outlet door 34 is not closed.
[0137] In the following, the shutter closing processing performed
in S31 mentioned above is described in detail with reference to
FIG. 13.
[0138] As shown in FIG. 13, when a code for instructing the closing
of the shutter is received in S81, the process proceeds to S82 and
confirms whether the shutter 74 is closed. In other words, the
process confirms whether the shutter closed position detecting
switch 84 has detected the turning arm 80 turned to the closed
position A.
[0139] In S82, if the shutter 74 is closed, the process proceeds to
S83, in which the engaging member 66 is spaced from the hook 60 by
driving the locking motor 64 of the locking mechanism 62, and the
lock of the prize outlet door 34 is released. Then, the process
proceeds to S84 and returns a code for indicating that the shutter
74 is moved to the closed position.
[0140] In S82, if the shutter 74 is opened, the process proceeds to
S85, in which whether a predetermined time has elapsed is confirmed
and the aforementioned processing in S82 and S85 is repeated until
the predetermined time has elapsed. In S85, if the prize outlet
door 34 is not closed after the predetermined time has elapsed, the
process proceeds to S86, an error is issued, and a buzzer sound is
emitted to notify the store clerk that the shutter 74 is not
closed.
[0141] In the following, control processing for monitoring the
infrared sensors 52 (52.sub.1 to 52n) and the pressure sensor 58 is
described with reference to FIG. 14. In the CPU 92, the control
processing in FIG. 14 is set to perform an interrupt handling in
each predetermined time whether it is in the middle of the game or
not.
[0142] As shown in FIG. 14, in S91, the CPU 92 confirms whether or
not at least two of the infrared sensors 52 (52.sub.1 to 52n) are
ON. The reason to confirm whether or not at least two of the
infrared sensors 52 are ON is that if dirt or the like is adhered
to the reflecting plate 54 and an infrared light is not reflected,
it may cause false detection, for example.
[0143] In S91, if at least two of the infrared sensors 52 (52.sub.1
to 52.sub.n) are not ON, the process proceeds to S92 and confirms
whether the pressure sensor 58 is ON or not. In S92, if the
pressure sensor 58 is not ON, since there is no abnormality, the
process proceeds to S103 and transmits a shutter opening code,
thereby ending this processing.
[0144] In S91, if at least two of the infrared sensors 52 (52.sub.1
to 52n) are ON, the process proceeds to S93 and confirms whether
the state where the infrared sensors 52 are ON has been maintained
for not less than a predetermined time set in advance. In S93, if
the state where the infrared sensors 52 are ON has not been
maintained for not less than the predetermined time, it is judged
that the prize 18 is dropped into the prize deposit room 30 through
the drop inlet 26 and the process proceeds to S94.
[0145] In S94, it is recognized that the prize 18 is obtained in
this game, and one point is added to a prize winning counter. Also,
in S95, sound effects such as a prize-winning fanfare are emitted
from the loudspeaker 49. Next, the process proceeds to S96 and
transmits a code for releasing the lock of the prize outlet door 34
using the locking mechanism 62. In the following S97, whether the
prize outlet door 34 is opened is confirmed. In S97, when the door
sensor 68 is OFF, it is judged that the prize outlet door 34 is
opened and the prize 18 is taken out, thereby ending this
processing.
[0146] Also in S97, if the door sensor 68 is ON, since the prize
outlet door 34 is not opened, the process proceeds to S98 and
confirms whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If the
predetermined time has not elapsed in S98, the process returns to
S97 mentioned above and confirms again whether the prize outlet
door 34 is opened.
[0147] In S98, if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process
proceeds to S99 and a message such as "Please take out the prize"
is notified to the player through the loudspeaker 49 (a notifying
unit). Thereafter, the process returns again to S97 and confirms
again whether the prize outlet door 34 is opened. Then, when the
player opens the prize outlet door 34 and takes out the prize 18
after hearing the message from the loudspeaker 49, this processing
is ended.
[0148] In S92, if the pressure sensor 58 is ON, the process
proceeds to S100 and confirms whether the state where the pressure
sensor 58 is ON has been maintained for not less than a
predetermined time set in advance. In S100, if the state where the
pressure sensor 58 is ON has been maintained for not less than the
predetermined time set in advance, it is judged that a child, for
example, has entered the prize deposit room 30 and the process
proceeds to S101. In the following S101, the buzzer 59 emits a
buzzer sound at high volume. Accordingly it is possible to prompt
the child who entered the prize deposit room 30 to come out before
he gets injured.
[0149] In the following S102, a code for instructing the closing of
the shutter is transmitted, and this processing is ended.
[0150] In S100 mentioned above, if the state where the infrared
sensors 52 are ON has not been maintained for not less than the
predetermined time, it is judged that there is no abnormality and
this processing is ended. In S93 mentioned above, if the state
where the infrared sensors 52 are ON has been maintained for not
less than the predetermined time, it is judged that an infrared
light is blocked since a child has entered the prize deposit room
30 or an adult has inserted the hand from the outlet 32 without
activating the pressure sensor 58, and the process proceeds to
S101. In this case, the buzzer 59 also emits a buzzer sound at high
volume in S101. Accordingly, if there is illicit conduct, for
example, in the prize deposit room 30, it is possible to prevent
the illicit conduct with the buzzer sound.
Embodiment 2
[0151] The prize-capturing game apparatus 10 according to
embodiment 1 employs the method for closing the outlet 32 by
locking the prize outlet door 34 in the closed state using the
locking mechanism 62 and the method for closing the drop inlet 26
with the shutter 74 using the mechanism 37 for opening and closing
the drop inlet. And it is possible to prevent the theft of the
prize 18 in the prize storage portion 14 from the outlet 32 or the
drop inlet 26 by closing one of the outlet 32 and the drop inlet
26. However, it is possible to configure the prize-capturing game
apparatus using only either of the methods.
[0152] For example, with only the locking mechanism 62 of the prize
outlet door 34, it is possible to prevent the theft of the prize 18
in the prize storage portion 14 from the outlet 32. In this case,
the mechanism 37 for opening and closing the drop inlet is not
disposed. Thus, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the
apparatus and eliminate the processing for opening and closing the
shutter 74, thereby also simplifying the control processing.
[0153] Further, with only the mechanism 37 for opening and closing
the drop inlet, it is possible to prevent the theft of the prize 18
in the prize storage portion 14 from the outlet 32. In this case,
the locking mechanism 62 is not disposed. Thus, it is possible to
simplify the configuration of the apparatus and eliminate the
processing for driving the door locking mechanism 62, thereby also
simplifying the control processing.
Embodiment 3
[0154] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a prize-capturing game
apparatus according to embodiment 3. FIG. 16 is a longitudinal
sectional view showing the prize-capturing game apparatus according
to embodiment 3 when viewed from the front. And FIG. 17 is a
longitudinal sectional view showing the prize-capturing game
apparatus according to embodiment 3 when viewed from the side. In
FIGS. 15 to 17, the same portions as in embodiment 1 are provided
with the same numerical references and the description thereof is
omitted.
[0155] As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, in a prize-capturing game
apparatus 100 according to embodiment 3, a cylindrical member 101
for surrounding the drop inlet 26 is installed above the prize
deposit room 30, and a mechanism 102 for opening and closing the
drop inlet is disposed on the inside of the prize deposit room 30.
The mechanism 102 for opening and closing the drop inlet rotatably
supports a shutter 104 formed in an L-shape when viewed from the
side using a shaft 105 and is configured to return the shutter 104
using a biasing member not shown in the drawings.
[0156] The shutter 104 has a first shielding plate 106 extending in
a horizontal manner such that it intersects the prize deposit room
30, and a second shielding plate 108 extending in the perpendicular
direction relative to the first shielding plate 106. A shaft hole
110 for allowing the penetration of a shaft 105 is disposed on the
joining portion of the first shielding plate 106 and the second
shielding plate 108. In the present embodiment, a width size La
from the shaft 105 to the tip of the first shielding plate 106 is
formed to be smaller than a width size L of the prize deposit room
30 and a width size Lb from the shaft 105 to the tip of the second
shielding plate 108 is formed to be greater than the width size L
of the prize deposit room 30 (La<L<Lb).
[0157] The shutter 104 is attached such that it is rotated in the A
direction (in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 17) relative
to the shaft 105 as a center when the prize 18 is dropped from the
drop inlet 26. Thus, when the player inserts the hand into the
prize deposit room 30 from the outlet 32 and tries to rotate the
shutter 104 in the B direction (in the clockwise direction in FIG.
17), the second shielding plate 108 abuts on a side wall of the
prize deposit room 30 and functions as a drop inlet locking unit,
so that the rotation in the upward direction is prevented.
[0158] Thus, the mechanism 102 for opening and closing the drop
inlet is capable of preventing the theft of the prize 18 in the
prize storage portion 14 from the outlet 32 by regulating the
rotation direction of the shutter 104.
[0159] FIG. 18 is a process chart for illustrating a movement of
the shutter 104 according to embodiment 3 when the prize 18 is
dropped from the drop inlet 26. FIG. 18-(A) shows a state before
the prize 18 abuts on the shutter 104. FIG. 18-(B) shows a state
where the prize 18 abuts on the shutter 104. FIG. 18-(C) shows a
state where the shutter 104 pressed by the prize 18 is rotated. And
FIG. 18-(D) shows a state where the shutter 104 is returned after
the prize 18 is dropped.
[0160] As shown in FIG. 18-(A), when the prize 18 is dropped into
the prize deposit room 30 from the drop inlet 26, the first
shielding plate 106 is held in a horizontal state and blocks the
prize deposit room 30. As shown in FIG. 18-(B), since the prize 18
abuts on the first shielding plate 106, the shutter 104 is rotated
in the A direction relative to the shaft 105 as the center.
Accordingly, the prize 18 abutted on the first shielding plate 106
is dropped downward.
[0161] As shown in FIG. 18-(C), an upper end 108a of the second
shielding plate 108 abuts on a side wall 30a of the prize deposit
room 30, so that further rotation of the shutter 104 is regulated.
Moreover, the shutter 104 is rotated in the A direction and
positioned in an inclined state, so that the second shielding plate
108 blocks the prize deposit room 30. Also, the shutter 104 stops
rotating in the inclined state. Thus, the prize 18 is moved
downward, sliding on the first shielding plate 106 stationary in
the inclined state.
[0162] As shown in FIG. 18-(D), the prize 18 is dropped into the
bottom plate 56 from the first shielding plate 106. When the load
of the prize 18 affecting the first shielding plate 106 is removed,
the shutter 104 is rotated in the B direction by a biasing force of
a biasing member and returned to a state before the movement as
shown in FIG. 18-(A).
[0163] In this manner, the mechanism 102 for opening and closing
the drop inlet functions sufficiently with only a mechanical
configuration without disposing the driving motor or various
detecting switches as in embodiment 1 mentioned above.
Embodiment 4
[0164] FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a
prize-capturing game apparatus according to embodiment 4 when
viewed from the side. FIG. 19-(A) shows a state before a movement.
FIG. 19-(B) shows the movement when a prize is dropped. In FIG.
19-(A) and (B), the same portions as in embodiment 1 are provided
with the same numerical references and the description thereof is
omitted.
[0165] As shown in FIG. 19-(A), in a prize-capturing game apparatus
120 according to embodiment 4, a mechanism 122 for opening and
closing the drop inlet is disposed on the prize deposit room 30.
The mechanism 122 for opening and closing the drop inlet rotatably
supports a pair of shutters 124 formed in an L-shape when viewed
from the side using a shaft 125 and is configured to return the
shutters 124 using a biasing member not shown in the drawings.
[0166] The pair of shutters 124 have a first shielding plate 126
extending in a horizontal manner such that it intersects the prize
deposit room 30, and a second shielding plate 128 extending in the
perpendicular direction relative to the first shielding plate 126.
A shaft hole (not shown in the drawings) for allowing the
penetration of a shaft 125 is disposed on the joining portion of
the first shielding plate 126 and the second shielding plate
128.
[0167] As shown in FIG. 19-(B), the pair of shutters 124 are
attached such that they are rotated in the A direction relative to
the shaft 125 as a center when the prize 18 is dropped from the
drop inlet 26. Thus, when the player inserts the hand into the
prize deposit room 30 from the outlet 32 and tries to rotate the
pair of shutters 124 in the B direction, the second shielding plate
128 abuts on a side wall of the prize deposit room 30, so that the
rotation in the upward direction is prevented.
[0168] Thus, the mechanism 122 for opening and closing the drop
inlet is capable of preventing the theft of the prize 18 in the
prize storage portion 14 from the outlet 32 by regulating the
rotation direction of the pair of shutters 124.
[0169] Further, the prize 18 abuts on the first shielding plate
126, so that the pair of shutters 124 are rotated in the A
direction relative to the shaft 125 as the center. Accordingly, the
prize 18 is dropped downward through a clearance formed between the
first shielding plates 126 inclined in accordance with the rotation
of the pair of shutters 124 in the A direction.
[0170] Then, further rotation of the pair of shutters 124 is
regulated since the first shielding plate 126 abuts on the side
wall of the prize deposit room 30 by rotating 90 degrees, and the
second shielding plate 128 blocks the prize deposit room 30. The
pair of shutters 124 are stopped in this rotated state.
[0171] Thereafter, since the load of the prize 18 is not applied
when the prize 18 is dropped, the pair of shutters 124 are rotated
in the B direction by a biasing force of a biasing member (not
shown in the drawings) and returned to a state before the
movement.
[0172] In this manner, the mechanism 122 for opening and closing
the drop inlet functions sufficiently with only a mechanical
configuration without disposing the driving motor or various
detecting switches as in embodiment 1 mentioned above.
Embodiment 5
[0173] FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a
prize-capturing game apparatus according to embodiment 5 when
viewed from the side. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the
configuration of shutters 134 according to embodiment 5. FIG. 22 is
a plan view showing the configuration of a locking mechanism 142
according to embodiment 5. And FIG. 23 is a side view showing the
pair of shutters 134 being opened. In FIGS. 20 to 23, the same
portions as in embodiment 1 are provided with the same numerical
references and the description thereof is omitted.
[0174] As shown in FIG. 20, in a prize-capturing game apparatus 130
according to embodiment 5, a mechanism 132 for opening and closing
the drop inlet is disposed on the prize deposit room 30. The
mechanism 132 for opening and closing the drop inlet rotatably
supports a pair of shutters 134 formed in a plate when viewed from
the side using a shaft 135 and is configured to maintain the pair
of shutters 134 in a horizontal state using a biasing member not
shown in the drawings.
[0175] As shown in FIG. 21, the pair of shutters 134 have a
shielding plate 136 extending in a horizontal manner such that it
intersects the prize deposit room 30, and a triangular stopper 138
at an end portion of the shielding plate 136, which is a rotation
center. And a shaft hole for allowing the penetration of a shaft
135 is disposed on the joining portion of the shielding plate 136
and the stopper 138.
[0176] In the configuration of the mechanism 132 for opening and
closing the drop inlet, the stopper 138 has a small amount of
protrusion, so that when the pair of shutters 134 are rotated in
the A direction, a clearance between the pair of shutters 134 is
increased according as the shielding plate 136 is inclined and the
player may insert the hand from the clearance. Thus, in the present
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, a locking mechanism 142 for
locking the pair of shutters 134 when the game is not played is
disposed.
[0177] The locking mechanism 142 has a solenoid 144 and a locking
member 146 for regulating the rotation of the pair of shutters 134
by being driven by the solenoid 144. The locking member 146 has a
pair of abutting portions 146a and 146b for abutting on
undersurfaces of the shutters 134. The locking member 146 is
normally held in a locked position for causing the pair of abutting
portions 146a and 146b to abut on the undersurfaces of the shutters
134. Also, the locking member 146 is configured to experience
suction by an electromagnetic force of the solenoid 144 upon a game
start and slide to a lock-released position for causing the pair of
abutting portions 146a and 146b to space from the shutters 134.
[0178] Accordingly, while the pair of abutting portions 146a and
146b abut on the undersurfaces of the shutters 134 in a locked
state, when a person with long arms tries to rotate the pair of
shutters 134 in the downward direction (the A direction), the
rotation of the pair of shutters 134 is prevented with the locking
mechanism 142.
[0179] When the prize 18 is dropped from the drop inlet 26, the
pair of abutting portions 146a and 146b are spaced from the
shutters 134 due to a suction movement of the solenoid 144. Thus,
as shown in FIG. 23, the pair of shutters 134 are pressed by the
load of the dropped prize 18 and rotated in the A direction
relative to a shaft 136 as the center, thereby further allowing the
prize 18 to drop downward.
[0180] Moreover, when the player insets the hand into the prize
deposit room 30 from the outlet 32 and tries to rotate the pair of
shutters 134 of a lock-released state in the B direction, the
stopper 138 abuts on a side wall of the prize deposit room 30 and
functions as a drop inlet locking unit, so that the rotation in the
upward direction is prevented.
[0181] Since the prize 18 abuts on the shielding plate 136, the
pair of shutters 134 are rotated in the A direction relative to the
shaft 136 as the center. Accordingly, the prize 18 is dropped
downward through a clearance formed between the shielding plates
136 inclined in accordance with the rotation of the pair of
shutters 124 in the A direction.
[0182] Thereafter, since the load of the prize 18 is not applied
when the prize 18 is passed, the pair of shutters 134 are rotated
in the B direction by a biasing force of a biasing member (not
shown in the drawings) and returned to a state before the
movement.
[0183] In this manner, the mechanism 132 for opening and closing
the drop inlet functions sufficiently with only a mechanical
configuration without disposing the driving motor or various
detecting switches as in embodiment 1 mentioned above.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0184] Although each embodiment mentioned above describes the
prize-capturing game apparatus as an example, the present invention
is not limited to this. A mechanism other than the prize-capturing
mechanism disposed on the ceiling may move the movable body, or the
present invention may be applied to a mechanism for moving a
movable body other than one configured to grip a prize with a pair
of arms.
[0185] Dropping a prize includes not only a direct drop into the
prize deposit room but also a drop having a path such that a prize
is dropped along an inclined wall surface.
[0186] In embodiment 1, when the turning arm 80 is in the lock
position A, if the player tries to slide the shutter 74 in the Xb
direction, the turning arm 80 is lodged, thereby constituting a
drop inlet locking unit. However, the present invention is not
limited to this. For example, a drop inlet locking unit may be
disposed in which the shutter 74 is held in the closed position by
rotating a locking member using a driving unit such as a motor.
[0187] Further, in embodiment 1, whether the shutter 74 is in the
closed position is confirmed by detecting the rotation position of
the turning arm 80 using the shutter closed position detecting
switch 84. However, a detecting unit such as the shutter closed
position detecting switch 84 does not need to be disposed. For
example, whether the shutter 74 is in the closed position may be
confirmed by detecting an output of a driving signal for driving
the turning arm 80 to the closed position.
[0188] The present invention is not limited to the specifically
disclosed embodiments, and variations and modifications may be made
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0189] The present application is based on Japanese priority
application No. 2003-317457 filed Sep. 9, 2003, the entire contents
of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
* * * * *